Inquest.

Manawatu Herald, 27 October 1892, Page 2

Inquest.

An inquest to inquire into the causa of death of Frederick Coombes was held yesterday at the Albion Hotel, Shannon, by the Coroner for the district (E. S. Thynne, Esq.) Tne jury were Messrs McPherson (foreman), E.' Gasooigne, J. Tully, J Gardiner, W. Wells and C. M. Richards \ '

The following evidence was taken :— _ . . , . , . c Jainea Crowther, being sworn, said that I was working with the deceased Frederick Coombes on Monday last bush falling on Mr McDonald's property near shannon ; I was. working with the deceased when 1 saw a tree fall and catch in a dead tree which caused the same to rebound ; T called out and asked deceased if he was all right ; getting no answer I went to .see him ; I found niin inr'* his finees-with the tree resting on his left shoulder' and neck ; I called then to .Alex Fraser and William Alex flegh to come ; I and Hegh then lifted the tree : partially whilst Fraser cnt it ; I recog nise the deceased as Frederick Coombes ; he had been working with us eight' weeks ; he was accustomed to bush work.

By the Foreman— The other two men were a chain to a chain and a half away

By the Constable — I went at once after the tree tell to the deceased. Death must have been instantaneous.

William Hegh, being sworn said that he was was working last Monday with the last witness ; the last witness called to me and Alex Fraser ; when we got up to Oowther we found deceased lying under a honeysuckle tree about a foot through; thft deceased was then dead ; he was

accustomed to bushfalling and waa very careful and steady. By the Foreman— The ground was slightly hilly. "' William Morris, being sworn, said he was an uncle of the deceasia ; he was twenty years of age on the 15th of July last ; his parents ar« dead ; he has a sister who Aa living with William Coombes at Fitzherbert; I look upon the death as a pure accident and no one is to blam« ; the deceased has two brothers in England The iitry, after a few minutes consideration*, brought in a rverdwtjbhat the deceased met his death from a tree falling upon' him and that no one was to blame.

The funeral was to take place today at Palmerston. .